Ramirez: I see Adrian Newey at Ferrari

The future of Formula 1's most respected and successful designers has been the subject of much speculation. Despite Newey's long and illustrious career, retirement doesn't seem to be on the cards just yet according to Ramirez. It's no secret that Newey, known for his groundbreaking work with teams like Red Bull, is set to make a blockbuster move, with either Ferrari or Aston Martin being the most likely destinations.

On Newey's future, after two decades at Red Bull, Ramirez told Mundo Deportivo: "I don't think Adrian will retire. I see him at Ferrari because any job you do successfully in F1 you have to do at Ferrari too.

"Ferrari is the biggest team in F1, and why not, if you have the opportunity... and it's not a question of money, because he already has a lot more money than he can spend in his life. The difficulty could be if he has to go and live in Italy because he is happy in Great Britain.

"But today the rules have changed; you can work remotely, and two or three days a week he will have his private plane to take him there and back. He could do that.

"I haven't spoken to him about it, although I did meet him at the historic Monaco GP and we chatted, although he doesn't say anything about it. He will continue, but we don't know where," revealed Ramirez, debunking the theory he may go sailing around the world.

Having worked together closely at McLaren, Ramirez recalled: "Adrian's a great guy, who really knows what a racing car needs to go fast. And he's another Ayrton Senna, very demanding. If he wants to do something, he does it. But he's also someone who, if you say to him, 'Look, we could do this', he listens to you! He's not like the designer we had at McLaren, John Barnard.

"Adrian always listens to you, and if the suggestion is good, he uses it, and if not, he doesn't use it. But at least he listens to it. He's a good guy. He walks around the paddock alone, almost anonymously, humble. He's a genius," declared Ramirez.

Invariably, Newey will always be the man behind the Williams FW16, in which Ayrton Senna was killed driving at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. A gruelling legal case, involving Newey and key Williams bosses ensued. During this time Newey switched to McLaren, where he connected with Ramirez.

The Mexican, now 82, recalls: "When Adrian came to McLaren, I had to help him with all the translations for the Ayrton Senna accident trial because he didn't speak Italian. It hurt me so much to do it... because I was very close to Ayrton, he had left us, and every time I had to do a translation I was reminded of him. It was not a good experience."